The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-13
IRW YORK PURIM BALL
AND THE HANDSOME WOMEN
WHO GRACED THE FLOOR
On the Occasion Eject Of SILK I'm
aerelolhing-HeBry Ward Beech
erAs Precious Stones.

IsyIaLL CORRESPONDENTS OF TIE ArPHAL.i
New YoRK, March Ill feel
lust as il l was an angel wading chin
deep in a perfumed cloud" That is
remark by the late Mrs. A. 7.
Stewart, reported to me by Nine.
Corore, who used to have charge of
a department in the Stewart store.
The occasion was Mrs. Stewards first
wearing OF woven silk undergar-
ments, which were then new Injuries
even to the richest. Mime. Corore
was reminiscent because she was
talking about the semi-private sale
OF Mrs. Stewards wardrobe, which
contains the finest possible assort-
ment Of costly undergarments. The
exhibition OF tho Stewart pictures is
accessible 20 anybody with half a
dollar, bat the sight OF the deceased
lady's clothes is restricted to very
few invited persons.
Henry Ward Beecher leaves some
things the mere glimpse of which
would make women's eyes sparkle.
He had about a pint Of precious
stones of many kinds, though neither
he nor Mrs. Beecher ever wore any
of them, and few were set into
iewelry. Beecher also had rare col
lection of silken sOarfs. They came
from Eastern countries principally,
and we're gifts, in most instances,
from friends who knew Of his
singular tad. and who picked them
up while travelling in the Orient.
The great preacher had many femi-
nine tastes and fancies, and was
urbane and polite in his treatment OF
women. Few pastors have ever com
manded nicer balance between dig
nifty and urbanity in social inter-
course with the adulatory sisters Of
their congregations. One of the last
occasions oil especial lionizing Of Ply
mouths pet was charity fair.
Beecher was there every evening, as
in duty bound, and his adroit cour-
tesy in receiving homage, repelling
sickish demonstrations Of admiration
and getting through the ordeal in
comfort to himself aud the specta-
tors was worth study.
Once upon time it was called the
manly art of self defense" but it
is no LONGER entitled to that mascu-
line adjective, for the girl Of the
period boxes. At least she is learn
ing to, and she soon may be able to
knock out with her little fists who
ever refuses to succumb to her smiles
and glauces. She has learned to
fence, and to bowl, and to bet at the
horse races, and then she sat down
and cried for more masculine worlds
to conquer. AS boxing was about
the only one that she did not think
herself mistress of already, she con-
oluded she would take that with a
rush. As the quickest way Of ac-
her desires she is tax
ing lessons of Billy Edwards and ex-
poets to be an expert pugilist in a
week or two. He does not take them
in bevies, but separately at the resi-
dence Of each pupil. II take these
pupils just to keep in good train my
self, he said in answer tot question
as to how many he has, land | don't
want any more than will give me ex-
ercise enough to keep me in good or
der. l dent like TO give more than
one lesson day, although | some
times give two. I've just now come
from giving a lesson to little girl 10
or IL years old. She is the daughter
of wealthy parents and they are
having her take boxing lessons on ac-
count Of her health"
rs that the motive that inspires
most Of your pupilp" l asked.
mo; they have good many differ
ent motives. Those from the wealthy,
leisure classes and | have number
Of the se--learn to box for the sake
Of the exercise, or because they want
to know how. Then l have some
theatrical ladies who 60 into it as a
matter OF business. They learn to
box b cause it will make them more
graceful, and because as matter OF
business, it will be profitable"
What do you think Of boxing as
means Of exercise for women2"
"Unquestiouably, it is the very
best that man or woman either can
take
Better than fenoingp"
"A great deal better than fencing,
because that develops only the right
side of the body, while boxing brings
into play every muscle, from the
toes to the brain, for you have TO keep
on the alert, with your eyes on your
opponent aud your thoughts concen
trated, so that your brain as we'll as
your body gets stirred up"
What kind of pupils do you find
the girls2 Do they learn as easily as
men2"
II find them quite apt, but they dc
not learn AZ quickly as men, because
il hasn' been bred into them. Blows
come kind of natural to men, you
know, but girls have never had any.
thing of this kind before, aud so il
takes them longer to learn"
Which do they learn quickest, t
guard or attaok2'
well, | generally find that m!
pupils are good deal better at at
lacking than guarding. They are no
so quick about guarding, but attack
ing seems to come to them naturally
But, then, there isn't mu3h to box
ing, anyway. You teach them how
to lead out aud stop, and after the.
get the hang Of that once that's abou
all there is to il, except to keep vi
the practice. It's the constant prac
tice that makes perfect"
"Of course, you use soft glove
with your girl pupils2"
mo, for the most part we don
use any, because l don't in tend {,
hit them hard, but just barely toucl
them. And if they do get it'll
tap on the cheek, it just hardens tn
flesh"
How long can the average cir
stand up to bout with you2"
"Oh, that depends on how sever
| am. Ii l go about it very gentl
they can keep up for an hour o
more, but if | am little bit sever